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Glee Review: Ho, No, No

I don't mean to be a Scrooge, but wow. That was bad. Like, really, really bad. Like so bad that I wonder if Ryan Murphy and company watched last week's Community and then figured they'd create an episode that mocked their own show even more.

Here, Rachel, I know you're Jewish and that's been referenced numerous times in the past, but it's Christmas! We're allowed to ignore continuity as long as we sing songs and end on a Hallmark-inspired message!

There was no attempt at a plot whatsoever. There was no building on any storylines. This could have basically been plopped down anywhere in any season. One song started the show, another picked up the moment we returned from a commercial break, a bunch more were crammed into a black-and-white local TV station special that dragged on... and on... and on... and, is it even over yet?

Look, if characters pretending to appear in a Judy Garland/Star Wars-themed holiday show, speaking to a fake studio audience, randomly breaking into song after song after song and telling very bad jokes is your thing, hey, no judgment here. It's the holiday season. I wish nothing but good spirits and good will to all.

But I was just staring at the screen, slack-jawed, amazed this was actually happening. It just kept going and going and going... only for the crew to show up at Sue's homeless shelter (did anyone doubt that would happen?) after the program ended. Why couldn't that have been the plan all along? Who cares about logic??!? It's Christmas! Go buy the Glee Christmas CD, available now, as Fox told us the moment the credits rolled.

I hate to be a cynic, but this was not an episode of a television show. It was a concert. It was an hour-long commercial for that album. It's great all its proceeds go to charity, but just tell me ahead of time where to donate and I'll be glad to do so. There are plenty of ways to give back without randomly dedicating an entire episode of a season to a cause.

It just piled on the holiday covers, one after another, stopping only for Rachel to be the world's most selfish girlfriend, until she finally realized - here's an original concept! - that Christmas is a time for giving and thinking about others. Farewell, earrings and iPod. Hello, predictable Hallmark ending.

I just fail to understand why the show makes ZERO attempt to build a season-long arc. There were even elements in place here. Wasn't Santana's struggle with her sexuality a big deal just a couple episodes ago? Why not continue with that idea, give us a look at her accepting family, or even better, how she's dealing with her intolerant grandmother? Want to send a Christmas message? There you go: Grandma comes around to her gay granddaughter because she realizes what's important. I'm down with holiday sappiness, I just can't comprehend why the writers don't come up with examples of it that focus on characters and plot, as opposed to singing merrily about everything.

I mean, we spent 20 minutes on a PBS special that was intentionally unfunny and which took place because the kids cared more about fame than about assisting the needy. It wasn't enough that they actually made this decision; but the show made us sit through every minute of it, scarcely showing the consequences of their actions. Guilt? A battle between how to best help one's self versus how to help others? Nah, we'll just have them show up at the shelter with a turkey and everything will be fine!

It's Christmas, right? Might as well use this as excuse for Glee to be even more erratic than ever because viewers will just be glad to hear a bunch of songs that remind them of Santa.

Best Christmas ever, Sam? Come on. Don't insult us, writers. This was an example of the worst Glee can be. Saccharine, disjointed, full of itself, music-based. Needless to say, it was not one of my favorite things.

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ok someone said the finchel moment was touching, so Rachel i know you love start so after i give you a pig even though you are jewish and vegan that is going to be killed, i but a star and name it after myself. is that all right with you??

sky•January 07, 2012 21:30

I've tried to rewatch it several times so I could appreciate what all of you who liked about it. But NOOOO!!! I can't but a few parts here and there. Mainly a song or a Finchel moment( the star present- that was touching). But I mean REALLYY!!! the black and white crap is still crap and loads of it. I love Glee and really appreciate its unconventional ways to tap into and out of reality within a single segment of an episode but I'm sorry this one is for the record books of the worst of the worst of TV programming. I love you Glee-dam? you for my addiction to your insanely odd and unconventional characters whom have intrigued me since the first episode.

Ridan•January 07, 2012 17:36

OMG! you didn't like the "Extraordinary Merry Xmas" (Wich is AWFUUUUUUUUUUl) I mean What the fuck just happend I loved the songs bu that's it I mean come on no story Like you said only a 22 minutes long Commercial it's the worse episode ever... and by the way I'm a huge GLEE Fun

keri•January 02, 2012 11:19

I'm glad you liked it. It was terrible to me. I remember those days but that's why their not around anymore. Boring as heck and so was Glee's episode. I liked the little bit of Finchel but that was all.

hannah•January 01, 2012 22:56

I think the whole black and white cheesy Christmas special thing was a play on those awful shows from way back when.Kind of reminded me of The Osmonds :PI quite liked it xP

Jireh•December 30, 2011 14:49

I loved the episode. One surprising info is that Mr. Matthew Morrison did the direction of the episode. :)

Thunder•December 24, 2011 15:42

I am a HUGE Glee fan. I love the show. but just watched the Christmas episode. Yetch. Has Glee jumped the shark? The Christmas special within a Christmas special plot device was AWWWWWWWWWful . . . god awful.

I am trying to understand why anyone who want to find fault with any television show that is trying to entertain people, especially around the Christmas season. It makes absolutely no sense. There are a lot of problems in the world around us as it is the news or any other program is getting harder to watch.TV viewers are not stupid but why does a show like Glee have to make sense all of the time. Why can't you just enjoy the show for what it is an hour long escape from reality. If you feel that the show does not entertain you then change the channel, or do something else. It will eventually be canceled anyways. And if enough people complain about the writing it will be canceled believe me. I think that we in North America need to be grateful for the talented writers and performers that are out there who want to entertain. We could be living in other countries around the world where expressing yourself, whether it be through writing or singing or whatever might be against the law or worse you could end up dead.Imagination is something that does not always make sense nor does it have to. What is that they say one persons junk is another persons treasure.